Agenda item

Report of the Director of Care, Health and Housing

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Care, Health and Housing, that has also been considered at the meeting of Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee on 3^rd July 2025, on requirements for the commissioned housing related support services, following extensive engagement with stakeholders in Coventry, and to become effective from 1st April 2026.

The existing housing related support contracts went live on 1st April 2020 at that point the country had been in a national lockdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic for approximately 1 week. Contract mobilisation at a time of national crisis was challenging however, the providers mobilised and started delivering support and services to those in need of housing related support. The existing contracts were due to expire on 31st March 2026.

The housing related support services supported the statutory homelessness service in a number of ways. Without the hostel type accommodation that was commissioned, a significant percentage of the occupants would need to be provided with Temporary Accommodation (TA) by the Council. This would result in additional financial pressure on the service. In addition to this, a percentage of the floating support provision supported people in hostel type accommodation e.g. Frank Walsh House, The Foyer etc. Any reduction in support to this provision could result in these services being unviable and therefore placing another pressure on the Council’s TA numbers and provision.

Since the contracts were previously awarded in 2020 there had been an increase of 95% in the number of households and individuals approaching the Council in housing need. This was particularly the case for families and for individuals who required support for multiple complex needs. This had placed substantial pressure on the housing and homelessness service and its budget over the last few years.

The new provision would support the delivery of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy (2025- 2029). The key aim was to ensure that the newly commissioned services were not only focussed on the delivery of services to households who were in a crisis, but that prevention work was fundamental in the delivery of these services.

There would be 5 commissioned Lots instead of the current 4 to deliver housing related support services and specialist accommodation and within these, there were specific Lots that addressed and supported the aspirations within the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy and for specific groups at risk of homelessness. The Lots that commissioning was being sought through this exercise were Adults with Complex Needs, Older Single People (25yrs +), Young People (18-24), Families, and Women with Complex Needs

In terms of how the new Lots would compare with previous Lots, there would be some difference, which included a slight reduction in the number of commissioned bed spaces, and a reconfiguration of the floating support provision. This was because although costs had increased, the budget had remained static so needed to ensure that the services were targeted where they would have the greatest impact and supported how the Authority met its statutory obligations to the residents of Coventry.

Cabinet also considered a Briefing Note which outlined Scrutiny Co-ordination’s consideration of the report at their meeting on 3^rd July 2026 and made recommendations for Cabinet’s consideration. An Equality Impact Assessment was circulated to be considered as part of the report.

Cabinet requested that, in respect of the number of non-nationals rough sleeping; details of the percentage increase be circulated to them.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

 1)  Notes the comments and approves the recommendations from Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee.

2)  Approves the re-commissioning of Housing Related Support Services.

3)  Approves the proposed contract structure for the Housing Related Support Services.

4)  Delegates authority to the Director of Care, Health and Housing to commence the Housing Related Support Services tender process with the new contracts being put in place by 1^st April 2026.

5)  Following the completion of the procurement process, delegates authority to the Director of Care, Health and Housing and the Director of Finance and Resources, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, to undertake the necessary due diligence, finalise the terms and conditions and award a contract for a period of up to 6 years to the preferred suppliers.

6)  Delegates authority to the Director of Care, Health and Housing, following consultation with the Director of Finance and Resources and the Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, to make variations to the terms of the contracts over the life of the contract term.